Success Story: The Credenza - A Unicorn Among the Low Value Items

Appraisers work under a code of confidentiality like doctors and lawyers, so we can’t talk

about our clients. But we can tell you the tales inside our profession.

I was called in as a consultant by a husband and wife who had recently buried a beloved a

parent. They were still grieving and the clock was ticking to sell the condo and the contents. All they wanted was an idea of the value of the things inside their small space. Most of it was in bad condition and there were a few framed posters and prints as well as metal credenza. They sent me an image of an “old metal” credenza and asked me what I thought. My response was quick. I simply said, “WOW! and I don’t know if this is just a WOW! or a Super WOW!”

With their permission, this is their success story and the image of their credenza.

What they had in their possession was a Paul Evans credenza, which was instantly recognizable once you know his work. Neither heirs wanted it and asked If I could help them sell it. I immediately reached out to my trusted mid-century expert for his opinion. 

His response was: Definitely a “wow” and nice example of this model. Not the rarest of Evans, but also not common; known in Evans parlance as a “Deep Relief ” cabinet. These cabinets are typically treated with primary colors to the doors. The more color, the higher the price. A related example we recently sold just north of $30k.

The piece went to auction. The hammer price, which is when the auction gavel hits the block and the auctioneer says “Sold!” was $50,800 in 2025.

So now, let’s look at the value drivers that made this credenza so valuable. (This is where Luxury Literacy kicks in)

Know the designer and his importance:

Paul Evans was a seminal American designer who redefined furniture as sculpture, successfully

merging craft, modernism, and commercial production in the postwar era. Alongside figures such as George Nakashima and Wendell Castle, Evans helped define the American Studio Furniture movement, which emphasized individual authorship, hand craftsmanship, and experimentation over mass production. 

Identify the specific piece: Deep Relief credenza Model PE-42

Is it signed? Yes. Welded signature “Paul Evans DC”

Know the condition: Very good. Some slight fading of interior paint.

Know the provenance: The piece history. In this case it was from the original owner. It can be

tracked to a Directional Furniture catalog in the 1970s and verified as authentic.

Know the nuances that impact the value: The color inside. Ours was red and slightly faded.

Blue is more valuable.

Why the piece exceeded auction estimates: Auctions can be emotional. All it takes are two bidders with a “must have” determination and the sky is the limit.

A detailed close-up of a Paul Evans Deep Relief credenza, Model PE-42.